Lent is the 40-day period leading up to Easter in the Christian calendar. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday. Lent is a time of preparation and self-reflection for Christians as they look forward to commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter. The Lenten period emulates the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness while being tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13).
The purpose of Lent is to set aside time for introspection and repentance – to reflect on one’s sin and focus on living a more faithful life. The 40 days of Lent recall the 40 days Moses spent on Mount Sinai preparing to receive the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28), the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the desert after fleeing Egypt (Numbers 32:13), and the 40 days Elijah traveled to Mount Horeb to encounter God (1 Kings 19:8).
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, when ashes are placed on the foreheads of worshippers to signify repentance before God. Sundays are excluded from the 40 days of Lent because Sundays are considered “mini-Easters” that celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Many Christians commit to fasting, prayer, and giving to the poor during Lent as ways to draw closer to God and prepare their hearts for Easter.
Here are some key themes and symbols of Lent:
Repentance
A primary focus of Lent is repentance – examining one’s heart, confessing sins, asking forgiveness, and committing to change. The ashes placed on foreheads on Ash Wednesday represent mourning for sins and a desire to repent. Lent is a time to reflect on areas where one has fallen short and seek God’s grace to walk in deeper faithfulness.
Fasting
Fasting is a key part of the Lenten season. Just as Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness, Christians may choose to give up something for Lent – often a particular food or meal – as an act of self-denial and spiritual discipline. Fasting helps believers focus their hearts on God by setting aside earthly pleasures and distractions. Common Lenten fasts include giving up chocolate, meat, or luxury items.
Prayer
Lent calls believers to devote more time and focus to prayer. Some prayers especially associated with Lent include the Jesus Prayer (“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner”) and lectio divina (slow, meditative reading of Scripture). Churches may also hold extra prayer gatherings during Lent. The goal is to grow closer to God through regular, intentional prayer.
Almsgiving
Generous giving to those in need is another focus of the Lenten season. Just as prayer and fasting reorder priorities towards God, almsgiving shifts priorities towards caring for others. Donating money or goods to charitable organizations and directly assisting people in difficult circumstances are ways Christians live out Christ’s call to care for “the least of these” during Lent (Matthew 25:31-46).
Purple vestments
In some churches, clergy wear purple vestments during Lent as a symbol of penitence and solemnity. Purple also represents the colors of ashes and of royalty, pointing to lament over sin and Christ’s kingship. Some churches omit “Alleluia” from hymns and liturgies during Lent to maintain a somber tone.
Stations of the Cross
Some churches practice the Stations of the Cross – reflecting on 14 key events on Jesus’ path from condemnation to the burial tomb. This can involve physical movement between 14 artistic representations of the stations around a church building or simply meditating on each one. The stations remind believers of Christ’s sacrificial death on their behalf.
Crucifixes covered
In many churches, crucifixes and crosses may be covered with cloth during the last two weeks of Lent to heighten the sense of anticipated mourning as Good Friday approaches. The bare crosses are unveiled on Good Friday to dramatize Christ’s death, then clothed in white on Easter Sunday to celebrate His resurrection.
Lenten roses
Lenten roses, also known as Hellebores, are flowers that bloom in early spring around the time of Lent. Their dark pink or purple color and downturned blooms are associated with the solemnity of Lent, while their arrival signals the approach of Easter and new life.
Lenten wreaths
A Lenten wreath holds six candles – five purple and one pink for the fourth Sunday of Lent. One candle is lit each Sunday, with all six lit on Easter Sunday. The increasing light represents the approach of the joy and brightness of Easter.
Holy Week
The final week of Lent is called Holy Week. It begins with Palm Sunday, when Christians remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Thursday of Holy Week is known as Maundy Thursday, remembering Jesus washing His disciples’ feet and instituting Communion at the Last Supper. The next day is Good Friday, when Jesus was crucified. The 40 days of Lent conclude at sundown on Holy Saturday.
Lenten fasting practices
There are a variety of traditional fasting practices during Lent:
- Give up a particular food or drink, such as chocolate, coffee, soft drinks, etc.
- Fast from meat on Fridays – historically, Catholics abstained from meat on every Friday.
- Eat smaller, simpler meals.
- Don’t eat between meals or only have one or two small snacks per day.
- Give up a meal each day, typically breakfast or lunch.
- Only eat one full meal per day.
The key is finding a fasting practice that provides a sense of self-denial without being detrimental to one’s health. Consulting a doctor is recommended if pursuing extended or intense fasting.
Lenten spiritual disciplines
In addition to fasting, Christians may adopt other spiritual disciplines for Lent:
- Attending Lenten worship services, which often occur midweek.
- Adding a new prayer practice like lectio divina or praying the Liturgy of the Hours.
- Reading a Lenten devotional or classic Lenten writings.
- Volunteering to serve those in need.
- Donating to charity.
- Visiting the sick or homebound.
- Joining a small group Bible study.
- Giving up screen time, entertainment, hobbies, etc. to focus on God.
The goal is to intentionally grow closer to the Lord during the weeks leading up to Easter.
Lenten symbols from nature
Certain symbols from nature represent the meaning of Lent:
- Ashes – Marked on foreheads on Ash Wednesday, a reminder of human mortality and need for repentance.
- Purple or dark pink flowers – Signify penitence and solemnity.
- Bulbs and seeds planted in spring – Represent dormancy giving way to new life.
- Fast-flowering shrubs like forsythia – Indicate the approach of Easter.
- Sprouting potato tubers – An old tradition representing renewal and resurrection.
- Sun’s increasing strength – Signals the paschal mystery of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Using these natural symbols can create meaningful reflection during Lent.
Preparing for Lent
Here are some tips for getting ready spiritually and practically for Lent:
- Decide on specific acts of fasting, prayer, service, etc. to incorporate.
- Make adjustments to your schedule to create more time for spiritual disciplines.
- Talk to your family about Lenten plans so they can support you.
- Decide what you will eat if fasting from certain foods.
- Buy devotionals, Lent-themed books, or Advent calendars to help your focus.
- Consider joining a prayer or small group at your church.
Preparing ahead helps believers enter Lent with focus and commitment.
Lent origins and history
Here is some background on the origins and evolution of Lent:
- Early church fasted before Easter, gradually extending to 40 days to represent Jesus’ fast.
- 7th century – Lent lasted six weeks, only Sundays exempt from fasting and penance.
- Holy Week added later to make 40 days we have today.
- Originally, Lent excluded Saturdays as well as Sundays.
- Strict fasting rules in medieval period – only one meal per day.
- Meat, fish, eggs, and dairy prohibited in Eastern church early on.
- Western church allowed greater variety, only meat prohibited.
- Current Lenten fasting practices greatly relaxed compared to past strictness.
While specific practices have changed over time, the themes of repentance and spiritual renewal continue to define the Lenten season.
Lent in other traditions
Some details on Lenten observances in different Christian traditions:
- Catholic – Ash Wednesday, Good Friday fasting, meatless Fridays, holy week services, Stations of the Cross.
- Orthodox – Strict fasting periods, giving up meat, fish, oil, dairy, alcohol through Easter.
- Anglican – Lent vestments, liturgies, and collects, holy week observances.
- Lutheran – Emphasis on baptismal journey, some Lent fasting and services.
- Presbyterian – Worship and liturgy changes, including omission of “Alleluia.”
While specific practices vary, the focus on repentance, prayer, and renewal connects all traditions.
Lent in modern society
In today’s busy world, keeping Lent can be challenging. Some ideas for a meaningful Lenten practice include:
- Fast from social media or TV to focus more on prayer.
- Take a tech mini-Sabbath each Sunday during Lent.
- Attentively read one psalm per day.
- Give up online shopping or restrict spending to focus on less materialistic mindset.
- Volunteer once per week helping a charity.
- Read a book about Christian spiritual disciplines.
With some creativity, even those with demanding modern lifestyles can find ways to observe a meaningful and thoughtful Lent.
Lent for families
Making Lent meaningful for families with young children:
- Talk about Lent and Easter on a level kids understand.
- Read Bible stories about Jesus in wilderness, Palm Sunday, and Easter.
- Have a simple family prayer time each day.
- Decide on a family Lent service project or donation.
- Color eggs and bake Resurrection Cookies to teach kids about Easter symbols.
- Involve kids in preparing for any church Easter programs.
- Make pretzels to teach children the prayer posture.
Keeping Lenten practices simple but symbolic helps teach children the true meaning of Easter.
Lent and fasting
Some key points about fasting during Lent:
- Fasting helps shift focus from earthly to eternal.
- Not just about giving up food – also media, activities, etc.
- Should be challenging but not harmful.
- Consult a doctor if planning extended or extreme fast.
- Combine fasting with prayer, Scripture reading, and charity.
- Don’t boast about fasting – it is between you and God.
- Children and elderly often exempt from strict fasts.
- Sundays are feast days to celebrate Resurrection.
Lenten fasting aims to reconnect believers with God, not be an end in itself.
Lent and temptation
Insights about temptation and Lent:
- Lent recalls Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness before ministry.
- Like Jesus, believers face temptations from the devil.
- Temptation itself is not sin, but giving into it is.
- Lent is a time of heightened spiritual warfare as Satan opposes deeper devotion.
- Fasting and consistent prayer strengthen resilience against temptation’s pull.
- Lent reminds Christians they cannot resist temptation in their own power.
- The Holy Spirit gives believers strength and discernment when tempted.
- Christians can have victory over temptation by clinging to Jesus.
Lent highlights the ongoing battle against temptation believers face – and God’s power to protect them.
Celebrating Lent
While maintaining a spirit of humility and repentance, Christians can celebrate Lent in these ways:
- Attend special church services like Ash Wednesday and Holy Week.
- Sing mournful but beautiful Lenten hymns.
- Decorate with purple banners, candles, and other symbols.
- Enjoy meatless meals on Fridays and other fasting days.
- Savor anticipation through symbols of the resurrection like eggs.
- Notice the increasing daylight as winter gives way to spring.
- Feel hope from Lenten roses blooming in bleak weather.
Observing Lent can be solemn yet deeply meaningful and hopeful.
Lent reflections
Here are some key Lenten reflections:
- Without repentance, there can be no deliverance.
- God’s mercy is deeper than our wanderings.
- True freedom comes through surrender to Christ.
- Small sacrifices pale next to Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.
- As we decrease focus on self, God is free to increase.
- The cross we bear today prepares us to share in Christ’s resurrection.
Lent calls us to honest self-reflection and reorientation of priorities towards God.
In summary, Lent is a period of sincere repentance and preparation as believers follow Christ’s journey to the cross, in hope of sharing in His joyous resurrection. The 40-day season developed in the early church based on Christ’s time in the wilderness and points to key events in biblical history. During Lent, Christians enter into a time of simplicity, fasting, prayer, and generosity – laying aside earthly distractions and sins to focus fully on walking with Jesus. While specific practices vary across church traditions, all observe a period of solemnity turning into joy as Easter approaches. The themes and rhythms of Lent help believers open their hearts to experience afresh the undeserved gift of salvation won through Christ’s suffering and resurrection.